Monday, 30 April 2018

In February this year Hove College Old Boy Jeremy Malies, 1974/78 traveled to the West Country and laid a wreath for fellow collegian Victor Buchan. Victor died in October 1940 when his plane disintegrated shortly after take-off from an aerodrome in Middlezoy, Somerset. The plane was a civilian craft - a Percival Vega Gull. The RAF requisitioned most of them. Buchan was 29. He was born in Steyning, married with no children.

Friday, 27 April 2018

The council has produced a draft Character Statement for the Queens Park conservation area which is on the Historic England ‘at risk’ register.

This Character Statement provides an objective assessment of the character and appearance of the Queen's Park conservation area which will inform future management and development proposals in the area. These may include a tightening of planning controls by introducing an ‘Article 4 Direction’ to remove rights to carry out certain types of works under ‘permitted development’ regulations.

Comments on the draft Queen’s Park character statement, including a possible extension to the conservation area boundary and the potential removal of certain ‘permitted development’ rights, can be made via the Consultation Portal from 9am Monday 23rd April 2018 until 5pm Monday 21st May 2018.

Wednesday, 18 April 2018

An avenue of 30 Fagus Sylvatica Dawyck beech trees has been planted in Hove Cemetery to commemorate the centenary of World War One. Each tree represents around 100 men from the city who gave their lives.

The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Mr Peter Field, planted the final tree to complete the avenue in a ceremony also attended by the High Sheriff of East Sussex, Mrs Maureen Chowen, the Mayor of Brighton & Hove Councillor Mo Marsh, and veterans from the Brighton & Hove branch of the Royal British Legion.

Thursday, 12 April 2018

Although some parts of the city are leafy Brighton's overall tree canopy cover is only 14.4%. This is below the national average for England at 16% and compares very unfavourably with the best, Farnham, at 45%. London has 21.9% tree cover.

Brighton & Hove has lost many mature trees to disease and development over the last few years. It would be interesting to know if young trees are being planted at a sufficient rate to improve on the 14.4% figure.

Saltdean Lido is one of the finest remaining examples of modernist lidos in the UK. The pool has been saved by local residents who set up a Community Interest Company (CIC) and successfully secured a 60-year lease from Brighton & Hove City Council (the freeholders) to operate the lido site.

After the restored pools re-opened in June 2017 and were used by over 35,000 visitors last year the Lido picked up two Brighton & Hove Business Awards - Best New Kid on the Block & Best Hospitality Leisure & Tourism.

The next phase is the renovation of the building. Brighton & Hove Council has pledged £700,000 and the CIC is working with the Heritage Lottery Fund (National Lottery) to secure £4.2 million.

Now, to demonstrate to the HLF that there is local and national support for the project, a crowd-funding scheme has been launched. The aim is to raise £100,000 before the end of May which is when the HLF bid is assessed. This money will be used to rebuild the historic café in the main building. The whole restoration project will cost £6.8 million.